Disordered eating and eating disorders are terms that are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same! Both mess with your relationship with food, but the key difference lies in the severity, frequency, and the impact these behaviors have on a person’s health and well-being.
Understanding these distinctions is crucial for detecting and treating disordered eating behaviors before they evolve into full-blown eating disorders. Let’s get into it!
Disordered eating refers to a range of irregular eating behaviors that may not meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, but still involve unhealthy attitudes and practices surrounding food. These behaviors are more common than you might think and may include skipping meals, obsessing over calories, or cutting out entire food groups because a TikTok influencer said so.
But here’s the thing: just because disordered eating isn’t an “official” eating disorder doesn’t mean it’s not serious. Disordered eating behaviors can mess with your body, mind, and overall quality of life. So, if you’re struggling with disordered eating, it’s definitely worth paying attention to and seeking help.
If you’re dealing with disordered eating, you might notice things like:
Disordered eating can arise from a mix of sociocultural issues, biological factors (genetics), psychological factors (depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and PTSD), and environmental factors (bullying, emotional abuse, discrimination). The diet culture and societal emphasis on thinness distort the way people view their bodies, often leading to disordered eating patterns. Individuals with disordered eating may experience emotional or psychological distress, leading them to attempt to control their eating habits in unhealthy ways. Disordered eating behaviors can feel like a way to control your body or emotions, but spoiler alert: it usually makes things worse and is the gateway for an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that involve extreme disturbances in eating behaviors. They go beyond irregular eating patterns and meet the diagnostic criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is published by the American Psychiatric Association. Eating disorders often require intensive treatment and support for recovery, and they can have severe long-term health effects if left untreated.
Recognizing the distinction between disordered eating and eating disorders is key to identifying warning signs and getting the right support. Here are some of the most common eating disorders:
Anorexia nervosa is characterized by severe food restriction, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a distorted body image. Individuals with anorexia often have an overwhelming desire to control their eating and body weight, sometimes leading to dangerous levels of malnutrition.
Bulimia nervosa involves recurrent episodes of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, excessive exercise, or misuse of laxatives. The disorder is characterized by a loss of control during binge episodes and an obsession with maintaining a specific body weight.
Binge-eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating a large amount of food in a short period, accompanied by feelings of guilt or shame. Unlike bulimia, individuals with binge-eating disorder do not engage in compensatory behaviors after binge episodes.
ARFID is a newer eating disorder diagnosis that involves avoiding or restricting certain foods due to sensory sensitivities or a fear of negative consequences (e.g., choking). This disorder is not related to body image concerns but can still lead to malnutrition and other health issues.
OSFED includes eating disorders that don’t fit neatly into the categories above but still involve disordered eating behaviors that negatively affect a person’s physical and mental health.
Eating disorders meet the specific diagnostic criteria listed in the DSM-5, while disordered eating behaviors, although similar, don’t typically meet the necessary frequency, duration, or psychological impact for a formal diagnosis. People with disordered eating may struggle with body image, dieting, and emotional distress, but the severity and persistence of their symptoms are usually less than those of a diagnosable eating disorder. Both can cause significant distress and affect daily functioning, but eating disorders are often accompanied by serious medical complications, relationship challenges, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Both eating disorders and disordered eating can have serious physical and mental health impacts. Physically, these behaviors can lead to issues like bone loss, digestive problems, fatigue, and harm to the heart, bones, and teeth. Mentally, they are often accompanied by obsessive thoughts about food, weight, and body image, contributing to emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. While disordered eating may not meet the criteria for a clinically diagnosable eating disorder, it can still cause significant harm. Early intervention and treatment for symptoms of disordered eating are essential to prevent long-term health consequences and promote recovery.
It’s time to make peace with food and get back on the same team as your body! If you’re ready to heal your relationship with food and get the support you need, we’re here for you. Fill out our form here and get started today. Let’s do this together!
Megan is a weight inclusive registered dietitian and Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor. She is the founder and director of A Soft Place to Land, a multidisciplinary group practice based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania that specializes in eating disorders, chronic dieting, and body image care. She is fiercely on a mission to be a loud advocate for ethical care of every BODY. Megan’s goal is to provide a weight inclusive and trauma informed safe space with an emphasis on social justice, fat liberation, self-exploration, and compassion. When she’s not taking down the patriarchy, you can find her spending time with her dogs outside, gardening, and painting plant pots!
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